When Dona Magdalene d'Ortega was summoned to take her place next to Nicholas Tregarron, Queen Elizabeth's envoy, at dinner with King Phillip of Spain, little did she guess that her days of innocence were numbered. Soon she would be caught up in the nightmare of the Inquisition. For Magdalene's proud beauty bewitched men first her cousin's fiancé, then the sinister black robed priest, Father Ludovic and she stood accused of witchcraft and heresy. One man was prepared to save her. For her sake, Tregarron would disobey his Queen and become an outcast from his own country. What would he demand in return? And, when Dona Magadalene learnt the true nature of his mission, would she turn from him in hatred?